THE elite group of councillors trusted with running York for the next four years was revealed today - and former leader Dave Merrett was not among them.

The new Liberal Democrat lead of City of York Council Steve Galloway said he offered Coun Merrett a position on the executive to help increase accountability and cut back on the potential for information being withheld from York residents.

But Coun Merrett said the Labour group felt the best way to provide effective opposition was by ensuring a division between the two main parties.

"We feel it is important the people of York can hold Labour responsible for our policies and the Liberal Democrats responsible for theirs," he said.

Coun Galloway said he was "neutral" on his rival's decision to turn the offer down.

He said: "It was not critical to our plans. It was a chance for them to have direct input into executive decisions, a conduit for people living in wards that continue to be represented by Labour councillors. It is for others to judge whether this is a missed opportunity."

The new executive's full line-up is:

Steve Galloway, leader, community safety and economic development

Andrew Waller, deputy leader and environment and sustainability

Sue Galloway, social services and health

Quentin Macdonald, resources.

Keith Orrell, leisure and heritage

Ann Reid, planning and transport

Carol Runciman, education

Sue Sunderland, housing

Irene Waudby, commercial

services

The proposed chairman of the planning committee is Richard Watson, and the proposed chairman of the scrutiny management committee is Madeleine Kirk. Among the new faces on the executive are Sue Sunderland, who was only elected to the council on May 1 and has been given the housing brief, and Carol Runciman, who has been given the education brief. Former Liberal Democrat education spokesman Charles Hall has been nominated as the new Lord Mayor.

Updated: 15:44 Thursday, May 15, 2003